CBIST Spotlight: Tracie Bearden
Categories: ACBIS Insider, Professionals
Tracie Bearden MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST, is a medical-based speech therapist and certified brain injury specialist-trainer in Denver. She has over 13 years of experience working with the brain injury population. Tracie is the owner of TBI MedSLP, a business whose mission is to improve brain injury education and awareness for the public, other medical professionals, survivors and caregivers, and companies.
What made you choose a career in brain injury? Why are you passionate about TBI?
I chose a career in brain injury rehabilitation after my graduate school internship in an acute rehabilitation hospital that specialized in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. I was able to witness the progress that intensive rehabilitation facilitated for patients following traumatic injuries and I decided I wanted to be part of the solution. I am deeply passionate about helping individuals who, like myself, have faced the challenges of traumatic brain injury (TBI). I believe every brain injury survivor deserves the gold standard of care and an advocate to help them navigate the challenges and obstacles brain injury survivors face on a daily basis. My personal journey as a TBI survivor and my experience as a brain injury professional have played a significant role in shaping my career path.
Why is having a CBIST important to you? How is it helpful in your daily work?
Having a Certified Brain Injury Specialist-Trainer (CBIST) certification is important to me for several reasons, particularly in my daily work within the field of brain injury rehabilitation. Having the ability to work with brain injury survivors, caregivers, and other brain injury professionals has not only helped improve my practice and skill set, but it has improved my ability to relate and educate my patients and the public on the topic of brain injury and how to prevent these traumatic injuries. Based on my experience, I truly believe that education about the individual’s brain injury is key to jump starting their improvement/rehab. With a CBIST, I am able to provide up to date knowledge and research to educate patients and their families to provide a better understanding of what is going on with their brain during the recovery process.
What are some of your strategies and suggestions for brain injury professionals when it comes to managing stress and/or burnout?
Managing stress and preventing burnout is crucial for brain injury professionals, given the emotionally demanding nature of the field. There are four top strategies I use personally to manage stress and burn out. First and foremost, establishing and maintaining boundaries at work and personal life. Learning to say no to opportunities that aren’t going to help me serve my ultimate purpose has been critical in maintaining a work life balance. Secondly, participating in therapy for myself on a regular basis. My favorite phrase for healthcare workers is “therapy is for everyone, but you have to find the right therapist.” This process can take time but having a non-biased professional to talk to is invaluable in our field where we see extremely traumatic and life changing events to help process our own feelings. Lastly, establishing and maintaining a support system. All humans need support to survive and thrive and without having friends and co-workers to reach out to after a hard day, the field of healthcare can become incredibly isolating. And as always, routinely practice self-care, which looks different for everyone!
What recommendations would you make regarding increasing CBIS and CBIST involvement with BIAA or ACBIS (other than certification)?
Increasing CBIS (Certified Brain Injury Specialist) and CBIST (Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer) involvement with organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) or the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) can help foster professional growth and collaboration within the field. Recommendations to enhance involvement beyond certification include attending conferences and workshops. These opportunities allow you to connect with other professionals in the area of brain injury to network, share expertise, and stay up to date on the latest research and trends in brain injury rehabilitation. BIAA offers volunteer and advocacy opportunities. Advocacy work can help raise awareness about brain injuries and promote policies that benefit survivors and their families and working with survivors and their families is how professionals gain insight into what the brain injury population experiences and truly needs to survive. Finally, invest and participate in the educational webinars, research articles, and learning opportunities the ACBIS offers to CBIS and CBIST professionals. Research and education for the brain injury population is constantly evolving and holding these certifications give providers the opportunities to stay up to date on current topics and practices. This allows CBIS and CBIST professionals to educate and provide the gold standard of care.
Tracie Bearden is a Denver-based Speech Therapist with 14 years of experience working with the brain injury population. She works at Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital and owns TBI MedSLP, an education-based business to improve awareness and education about brain injury for healthcare providers and the public.